DE3734985A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEALING CAPSULES CONTAINING A MEDICINAL PRODUCT - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and a Device for sealing a medicament included the capsules and particularly relates to an improved Method and device for closing or sealing of the cap and body parts of a drug the gelatin capsules to improve the medication Inclusion, capsule cohesion and engagement safety.

Typically pharmaceuticals and drugs Orally in liquid, tablet and capsule form taken. The gelatin capsule is a solid medium dosage form for oral ingestion; such Capsule generally consists of two pre-made cylindrical shells (a cap and a body), one end of which is rounded and closed, while the other end is open. In the body part who the one or more drugs, usually in pasty, liquid or powdery form, filled, after which the Body part for closing the capsule with one Cap (part) is combined.

The form of administration has long been in the form of a Hard gelatin capsule is the preferred dosage form see because by patients as aftertaste-free, easy to take (swallow), no indigestion evoking and quick-acting is accepted. Although the gelatin capsule is a highly effective solid administration Dosage form has been emerging in recent times Occurrence of attention to your safety unit, in particular its adulteration or interference safety directed.  

The standard gelatin capsule, in which the smooth side the wall of the capsule body part telescopically into the smooth cylindrical side wall of the cap is inserted, leaves open easily after filling. A possibility to prevent opening after filling in that the united cap and body parts of each Capsule at its overlap joint with a gelatin ribbon to wrap or film. This requires a touch each (individual) capsule with one with liquid gelatin coated roll for the purpose of applying the tape to the Capsule, a time-consuming way of working and an elaborate Device what generally with a high-speed Capsule filling machine operation is incompatible.

As an alternative to capsule wrapping or "bandaging" (banding) for the secure connection of cap and body The smooth side walls of caps have already become a problem and body parts of capsules by forming matching grooves and ribs modified to a a rest resistant to reopening after connecting to achieve seat attachment of the cap and body part. Capsules with structurally modified caps and bodies Wall forms are commercially available under the trade names Snap-Fit, Coni-Snap and Coni-Snap Supro (registered goods trademark of Capsugel Division of Warner Lambert Corporation).

Although the shape-modified cap and body structures, which ensure a detent seat attachment, the up bursting and denting when assembling the capsule wide is avoided and the capsules thereby after Putting them together can be more difficult to open security and general security or together holding the capsules by sealing (or welding) the caps with the body parts continue after filling be improved. For sealing hard gelatin  capsules, various processes have already been developed been e.g. Immerse the capsules in a liquid ver sealing compound, targeted application of a sealing compound mass on the capsules, spraying the caps, mechanical thermal welding, gelatin "bandaging" and loading spray through a hole.

The most effective sealing of capsules is possible achieved by means of a sealing liquid, the leads to a one-piece gelatin capsule. An industri elles procedure for sealing hard gelatin capsules, so that they cannot be opened without visible destruction is the Licaps sealing process (Registered trademark of the above company). After this Processes are wall contact surfaces between cap and body with a special, lower the melting point moistened the liquid. After removal of over Shot fluid from the capsule becomes the (capsule) parts then thermally connected to a unit or ver melted (bonded). To achieve a homogeneous ver sealing it is essential that the wall contact surfaces evenly applied with the dampening liquid become what is achieved by capillary action, whereby the dampening fluid in the area between the overlapping walls of the cap and body of the Capsule is sucked.

It is believed that the sealing or loading dampening fluids the amorphous part of the gelatin at the overlap between the cap and body sidewalls by lowering the freezing temperature of the Dissolve or dissolve gelatin. You can also use the Melting point of the crystalline part of the gelatin put. Such dampening liquids must be light digestible and easily available, a discount  of the gelatin melting point and a small one Contact angle with the capsule walls to favor one have a large capillary effect. A number of such Be dampening fluids along with the procedures for their opening Bring on capsules are in US-PS 45 39 060 and in United States patent application 06/5 82 364 dated February 22, 1984, to hereby referred to. A very good one suitable dampening liquid consists of a mixture from water and an alcohol such as ethanol; these two Solvents are common and common in the Manufacture of pharmaceutical products used. Adjusting the ratio of the fluid inventory parts of the dampening liquid depends on the context settlement of the capsule wall (moisture level, presence of additives such as dyes and pigments), the type of Imprint on the capsules and the temperature at the Exposure to thermal energy.

The Licaps capsule sealing process mentioned is a three-step process with a first liquid con tacting phase or stage in which filled and ge closed gelatin capsules for a short time span with the dampening liquid, which immediately under capillary action in the area between the overlaps distributed around the walls of caps and body parts, in Be be touched.

In the second phase or stage, the excess Moisturizing liquid by mechanical draining (Ab run) and air drying from the exposed Removed outer walls of the transported capsules. The overlapping gelatin wall sections remain moist so that the walls swell, which is a homogeneous, although temporary, sealing between cap and Body part results.  

In the third phase or stage, the final and complete sealing by applying a certain amount of heat energy causes.

One for the implementation of this previous procedure designed device consists of a sealing machine filled with a conveyor for taking off Ver capsules directly from a capsule filling machine can be bound and the one rotating, conical Has wire (mesh) grid basket, in which a loading dampening liquid on the entire surface of Capsules being sprayed on while continuously the basket to be promoted. Due to capillary action some of the dampening fluid enters the area between the overlapping walls of the cap and Body part of each capsule. The excess humidification Liquid is released from the capsules when they are approach the outlet end of the basket, both mechanically Deriving or draining as well as by applying removed with air from room temperature. From the liquid order basket, the capsules are alternately, each in batches, in one of two drying and drying processes headed in the form of fluidized beds are available. Since there are two such chambers, be the sealing machine sends the chambers alternately, so that initially during the loading with Capsules conditioned (conditioned) cold air for the further drying of the capsules passed through each chamber becomes, while subsequently heated air becomes thermal Sealing the capsules is passed through each chamber after it has been filled. The excess Be dampening fluid, usually a mixture of Water and alcohol drained from the capsules or drained and evaporated is removed finally by means of a special recovery device armor collected and processed to protect the environment  and waste disposal regulations.

Although the method and method described are different direction for the manufacture of a one-piece capsule, that cannot be opened without destruction, very good they require fairly specialized equipment for conveying, spraying, handling, handling and that initial drying of the capsules, which is a significant Capital investment conditional. Applying a humidifier liquid on the entire outer surface of the body Capsule is also with the use of additional chemi kalien and with additional costs for the necessary Aus armor to catch and remove the excess Humidification chemicals from an environmental point of view connected.

In the aforementioned US-PS 45 39 060 and the mentioned USA Patent application is proposed, dampening liquid of the specified type only locally on the connection or joints of gelatin capsules and apply them between the overlapping cap and body to allow parts to penetrate by metered amounts of Moisturizing liquid using high frequency pulsations in the form of jets or from nozzles.

The object of the invention is therefore to create a ver better method for sealing medication or hard gelatin capsules containing pharmaceutical agents through the controlled introduction of small, dosed quantities a dampening liquid between the each other rapping side walls of the cap and body parts of the Capsules for the manufacture of a one-piece capsule, which are without destroying capsule body or caps part can no longer be opened.  

The invention also aims to provide an improvement automated device for sealing a hard gelatin capsule containing medication Applying dosed amounts of a dampening liquid, around the overlapping wall areas of caps and body parts of the individual capsules to fuse (to fuse) and thus these parts are effective against separation to seal each other.

The invention also aims to provide an improvement ten, economical and compact built device for the effective sealing of the cap and body part a gelatin capsule to prevent separation these parts from each other and to ensure one safe inclusion of medication in solid, powdery, liquid, granular and other form in the capsule.

This device is intended directly with a capsule Filling machine connected and this nachge effectively be switched, being filled with drug (s), the Ma Capsules leaving the machine are automatically placed promoted and transferred to those in automated Wise small doses of dampening fluid on selected (certain) areas of the capsules right next to the joint between the two overlapping side walls of the cap and body part be applied so that a minimum amount of Be moisturizing liquid, which enters the capillary Overlap areas can penetrate, are used can, no excess amount of dampening liquid needs to be used and on special recovery treatment and treatment equipment for the sealing excess liquid used can be dispensed with.

Finally, the invention also aims to create it an improved device for sealing  medical capsules improving their safety, in particular security of engagement, this device built up economically and directly operational with a capsule filling machine or another feeder system for filled capsules, such as a hopper or shaft feed device should be used.

The above object is achieved by the in the claims marked measures and characteristics solved.

The following are preferred embodiments of the Er Finding explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a Kapselbefeuchtungsvor direction according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of only the upper part of the assembled on a supporting plate apparatus of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a partially schematic view of the left side of the device according to Fig. 1 to Veran its installation on Trag- or Hal tion elements of a capsule filling machine and part of a device attached to the discharge chute for receiving the pre-moistened capsules for their Transfer to a drying device,

Fig. 4 is a vertical section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 shows a horizontal section along the line VV in Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged scale schematic representation of a single medical or pharmaceutical capsule, which can be moistened by means of the moistening device according to the invention with a suitable liquid for sealing its caps and body parts, to illustrate the general structure of the capsule and the layer arrangement the moistening agent applied to hollow needles or tubes (cannulas) relative to the capsule at the moistening point during the moistening process,

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 6 to illustrate the parallel-axis arrangement of two mutually opposite loading of hollow needles feuchtungsmittelauftrag at the on direction of FIGS. 1 to 5,

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of controls and circles for the operation of modern fiction, Kapselbefeuchtungsvorrichtung whose sequence of operation may be programmable by means of control curves which are synchronized with the operation of a commercially customary Kapselbefüllmaschine,

Fig. 9 is a graphical representation, in a 360 ° cycle of the discharge of a round of filled capsules from the capsule filling machine, the operating cycle sequence or sequence of the humidification device according to the invention for the pneumatic conveying and for the application of a moistening liquid to the overlapping caps and Shows body sections of each capsule supplied and discharged from the capsule filling machine,

Fig. 10 is a side view of a Kapselbefuchterungsvor direction according to a second embodiment of the invention and

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section along the line XI-XI in Fig. 10.

Generally speaking, the invention relates to a Method and apparatus of the ones outlined above Art using a humidifier comparatively simple and economical structure, which in addition to a conventional capsule filling machine, typically the one with intermittent movement type, can be mounted or arranged to the individual capsules discharged from this machine and pneumatically over one or more capsule Conveyor lines in a predetermined humidification position or station, in which the individual, generally aligned with the cap on the top Capsules a dosed amount of a dampening fluid on the side wall of the capsule body at the connection or joint of the side wall of the cap and body part is applied to this liquid itself Capillary action in the area between the telescopic composite side walls of the cap and body part to be distributed. The individual capsules can be on finally released and by means of compressed air equipment (pneumatically) transferred to a collection point or one Further processing station in the capsule sealing process are fed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 comprises a Kapselbefeuchtungsvor device 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention has a substantially rectangular block 12 made of a suitable rigid material, such as transparent plastic, on. The block 12 is penetrated (in its longitudinal direction) by three substantially parallel, spaced-apart passages of a substantially circular cross-section ( FIG. 5) which are used for receiving and conveying or transferring filled medical capsules 20 ( Fig serve. 3 and 4), an appropriate wetting liquid is to be applied as a sealant gear in a capsule Versiegelungsvor on its overlap portion between cap and body part walls. The three passages 18 he extend according to FIGS. 1 and 4 substantially upward and serve to promote a plurality of capsules 20 filled with a medicament, which are introduced into a lower inlet 18 a of each passage 18 by a conventional capsule filling machine, eg an H&K capsule filling machine, model GKF400L, from Hoflinger and Karg, Robert Bosch GmbH, Waiblingen, Federal Republic of Germany. Such a capsule filling machine is used industrially to fill gelatin capsules with medicaments, for example in liquid, solid or powdery form or in combinations thereof.

Such a commercially available filling machine is typically programmed and operated such that it intermittently simultaneously discharges one or more filled capsules 20 from the capsule receiving chambers 22 ( FIGS. 1 and 3), which are provided in movable raceway elements 24 of the machine. Groups of capsules 20 who are intermittently discharged from their receiving chambers 22 in the upward direction to the subsequent handling and collecting operations for further treatment to be performed. Facilities Figs. 1, 3 and 4 illustrate, in dotted lines capsules containing Discharge track member 24 of the mentioned Kapselbefüllmaschine three-filled capsules, the displaceable by vertically reciprocating walking ram 26 under the control by non-illustrated control curves and appropriate programming of the Machine in the upward direction from the relevant receiving chambers 22 in the career element can be discharged. The structure, mode of operation and control of this conventional capsule filling machine for intermittent capsule discharge are known per se and do not form part of the invention.

As mentioned, it is highly desirable the cap and Body parts of gelatin capsules filled with medication seal effectively to not just an unwanted one To prevent leakage of the capsule contents, but also to prevent separation of these parts and an on safe grip after manufacture and before use guarantee. For this purpose, as before mentioned, already suggested the capsules with a ge suitable liquid wetting agents, e.g. a liquid mixture of water and alcohol, to treat and the ses moistening agent between each other lapping side walls of the cap and body part of the capsule bring in. The humectant acts as the Melting point lowering liquid for connecting or ver glue the cap and body parts in a subsequent one Drying and heating process. So far these have been Moisturizer typically on the filled capsules applied by inserting the entire capsules into the enamel point-lowering liquid is immersed or ge were saturated, followed by a removal of the over liquid liquid and drying; this before walking is with the disadvantages described at the beginning afflicted. It has also been suggested that the Be dampening fluid in the area of the connection or Joint of the cap and body part on the capsule spray like this in the aforementioned USA patent registration is described.  

According to the invention, the humidification device 10 shown in FIGS . 1 to 5 can be conveniently attached to a capsule filling machine, for example the previously described conventional machine, in such a way that the capsule conveying passage inlets 18 a are located directly above the capsule discharge outlet of the receiving chambers 22 of the filling machine and when the plunger 26 of the filling machine is actuated, the capsules 20 are pushed into the lower sections of the passages 18 of the moistening device, three capsules being removed simultaneously according to FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of the passages is in the range of the lower ends 18 fixed by means such as screws 28 in one of saved front of the block 12 is a substantially elongate metal block 30 which has a tubular cross passage to form a manifold 32 which communicates with the interior of the individual capsule passages 18 via three smaller passages 34 . One end of the distributor 32 is connected via a flexible line 36 ( FIG. 1) to a compressed air source, for example an air compressor 100 ( FIG. 8), which compressed air via corresponding valves and control lines to the distributor 32 and via lines 34 and upwards the capsule conveying passages 18 of the humidifier provides to generate a pressure differential or differential pressure in the passages 18 for the transfer of the capsules from the lower end of the passages to their upper ends, as will be explained in more detail.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 are located in the region of the upper end of each passage 18 of the Befeuchtungsvorrich tung 10 each liquid applicator units in the form of two sets of three flexible hollow needles or cannulas 42 where in each of these sets for supporting comprising an elongated block 44 is connected and is connected to a liquid (supply) distributor formed in the block in question. Each block 44 is fastened to one of the opposite surfaces of the plastic block 12 by means of screws 46 and sealed against the block 12 by means of seals 47 . The outer ends of the hollow needles 42 through a somewhat larger diameter boring 48 ( Fig. 3 and 4) in the opposite side walls of the plastic block 12 and protrude in this way into the respective upper ends of the passages 18 .

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the hollow needles 42 of the one set extending parallel and in the opposite Rich tung to the hollow needles 42 of the other set. The other pairs of opposed hollow needles of each set are arranged on opposite sides of a center diameter of each medical capsule 20 by a distance d ( Fig. 7) so that the metered liquid flows emerging from them initially act on the sides of the capsule body opposite the central diameter , whereby the distribution of the liquid penetrating into the overlap region between the cap and body walls is favored.

Each of the distributors for supplying a moistening liquid, for example a liquid that lowers the melting point (eg alcohol-water solution), is provided with flexible lines 50 ( FIG. 1) as well as via valve and control devices with a supply of dampening liquid, for example a container 101 according to FIG. 8 connected. The details of the operation and the sequence of applying the dampening liquid speed during the dampening process will be explained in more detail below.

According to FIG. 4, the distributor blocks 42 are mounted 44 and their sets of hollow needles or arranged such that the wetting liquid can be directed against a capsule 20, which is held in a predetermined position at the upper end of the respective passage 18. Referring to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the Befeuchtungsflüssigkeitsströme or beams through the hollow needles at an acute angle A of about 80 ° to the longitudinal axis of the capsule in Rich tung its cap portion 21 and directed in the movement direction of the capsule through the passage. The longitudinal axes of the needles 42 are thus directed at an acute angle to the outlets of the passages 18 . As mentioned, the orifices of the hollow needles 42 are also each at a distance d from the diameter line of the capsule in question on both sides of the capsule, so that the dampening fluid at a point immediately below the junction of the cap part and body part of the capsule on and around the side walls of the capsule body part is sprayed on in order to promote the distribution of the dampening liquid and the capillary action in the upward direction between the overlapping cap and body part walls.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the upper is off in the range tragauslässe each of the three passages 18 of the humidifying processing apparatus, a substantially inverted L-shaped plate 60 (see FIG. FIG. 4) is provided, whose lower leg 60 is disposed a normally so is that it practically blocks the discharge outlets of the three passages or closes ver when the plate 60 is in the position shown in FIG. 4. The plate 60 is vertically adjustable by means of screws 62 , which elongate holes 63 ( FIG. 1) pass through the plate 60 and hold the latter in an adjustable manner on a swivel block 64 , the lower section of which by means of a swivel pin 66 on an essentially inverted U-shaped shape having carrying bracket 68 is attached (see FIG. 2). The upper end of the pivot block 64 carries an adjusting screw 70 with a lock nut or lock nut, which acts effectively on a piston rod 72 of a pneumatic piston / cylinder unit 74 mounted on the holder 68 . The bracket 68 is in turn attached, for example by welding, to a support plate 76 , which in turn is attached by means of screw bolts or machine screws 78 to a suitable mounting surface 80 of the capsule filling machine (cf. dashed lines in FIGS. 3 to 5). The plastic block 12 of the moistening device 10 is just if screw plate 81 attached to sections of the support plate 76 and thus supported on the structure of the capsule filling machine so that it picks up filled capsules with its capsule conveying passages when these are pushed through the plunger 26 Filling machine are carried out of the chambers 22 or ejected.

The pneumatic or pneumatic cylinder 74 is a conventional single-acting cylinder, which is arranged and operated so that it blocks the block 64 and its stop plate 60 in a programmed manner around the pivot pin 66 shown in FIG. 4 in the direction of the arrow thus to release the individual capsules 20 after application of the dampening liquid from the dampening position at the upper end of each passage 18 . A mounted on the bracket 68 and the inverted L-shaped stop plate 60 spring 82 returns the plate 60 after the displacement by the air cylinder in a closed position, in which it closes the outlets of the passages 18 of the humidification device.

In operation of the arrangement, the filled with medication be ejected through the ejection plunger 26 from the receiving chambers 22 of the capsule filling machine ejected gelatin capsules 20 simultaneously in the lower ends of the capsule passages 18 in the humidifier. Due to the compressed air introduced into the lower ends of the passages via the distributor 32 and the air lines 34 , the individual capsules in the passage in question are transferred to the upper end thereof, where the capsules pass through the stop plate section or leg 60 a ( FIG. 4 ) are stopped in the humidification position. After the capsules have reached the humidification position, a predetermined, metered amount of the humidifier, such as water / ethanol solution, is applied to the opposite side wall sections of the capsules 20 on opposite sides of the central diameter line immediately below the connection or butt joint of capsule caps - And body part sprayed on (see. Fig. 7 and 8). The dampening liquid penetrates due to capillary action around the area between the overlapping side walls of the cap and body part to spread in this area in the upward direction. By adjusting the precise amount of the dampening liquid sprayed onto the two side wall portions of each capsule by means of the opposing hollow needles 42 , a sufficient quantity of this dampening liquid can be applied to moisten the interface in the overlap area of the capsule body and cap part without the remaining part to moisten the capsule excessively or to over-saturate. In addition, the compressed air flowing through the relevant passages 18 favors the upward flow of the dampening liquid under capillary action between the side walls of the capsules and the removal of any excess liquid which can be applied to the capsules during the dampening.

The exact position of the capsules in the humidification positions in the passages, for example the position of the connection or joint between capsule cap and body part relative to the mouths of the humidification hollow needles, can be used for capsules of different lengths by plumbing the stop plate 60 along the elongated holes 63 can be determined by means of the screws 62 .

Immediately after introducing the metered amount of the dampening liquid between the side walls of the cap and body part of the capsules in the dampening position, the compressed air cylinder 74 of the dampening device is actuated to pivot the capsule stop plate 60 clockwise (direction of arrow in FIG. 4) and to open the passage for the capsules at the upper discharge outlets of the capsule passages 18 . According to FIG. 3, the loading is on the holder 68 feuchtungsvorrichtung 10, a discharge chute (illustrated the upper portion in Fig. 3) 84 having a downward U-shaped metal slide fitted, which receives the wetted capsules and subject them to the influence of gravity a downstream collection or treatment station, such as the inlet of a capsule heater, not shown, transferred. He can warm the capsules in various ways. The heating device can have various conveying devices with a hot air source in order to raise the temperature of the moistened capsules during their conveying or transfer so that a final fusion and sealing of cap and body parts is ensured while preventing separation from one another.

An arrangement for controlling and sequentially actuating the moistening device 10 of the capsule sealing device according to the invention in connection with an intermittently dispensing capsule filling machine (such as the H&K machine described above) is shown in FIG. 8. The arrangement can be operatively connected for programmable actuation with the capsule filling machine and its capsule discharge elements. Fig. 8 schematically illustrates typical components with which the humidification device 10 according to the invention can be operated sequentially or cyclically under compressed air control. According to Fig. 8 compressed air from an air compressor 100 for the actuation of the pneumatic control of the moistening device and the supply of compressed air for the promotion of ge with drug filled capsules through the passages 18 of the moistening device elements supplied. The compressed air from the compressor 100 flows through an air filter 102 through an air (pressure) control valve 104 , an air solenoid valve 106 and a compressed air line 108 to a pneumatically actuated switching valve 110 of a known type (e.g. membrane valve 750 V from Electron Fusion Device, Inc., East Providence, Rhode Island / V.St.A.). The switching valve is switched via a control curve C 1 for the sequential or cyclical actuation by the capsule filling machine, in turn to a compressed air-actuated positive displacement liquid pump 112 (e.g. pump SV670 from Valcor Scientific Division of Valcor Engineering Corp., Springfield, NJ, V .St.A.).

The compressed air supply also takes place via an air line 114 in order to introduce conveying compressed air via the distributor block 30 and the lines 34 into the lower ends of the capsule conveying passages 18 and via line 116 actuating or working compressed air to the compressed air cylinder 74 for actuating the capsule blocking and release plate 60 at the upper ends of the passages 18 of the moistening device. Compressed air or pneumatic valves 117 and 118 arranged in the compressed air lines 114 and 116 are actuated by associated control cams C 2 and C 3 connected to the capsule filling machine in order to supply compressed air to the capsule conveying passages 18 and the plate 60 in time with the discharge of the filled ones Capsules 20 from the receiving chambers 22 to feed the capsule filling machine. The described dampening liquid is supplied from a dampening liquid container 101 , which is connected via a line 120 and a liquid filter 122 to the compressed air-operated liquid pump 112 , which has one-way check valves 124 on the inlet and outlet sides and which has a metered amount of dampening liquid via needle valves 126 to the distributor block 44 and to the hollow needles 42 in the moistening position at the upper end of the passages 18 in question. The dampening liquid is supplied in sequence to the application needles 42 via the needle valve 126 , which is controlled by a liquid injection control timer and controller 128 (eg dispenser 1000XLE from Electron Fusion Device, Inc., East Providence, RI, V .St.A.) Is actuated, which in turn is subjected to a sequential or clock control by a control curve C 4 connected to the capsule filling machine. In this way, metered amounts of the dampening liquid are expelled against the capsules, while these are kept in their moisturizing positions at the upper ends of the capsule conveying passages 18 .

As shown particularly in Fig. 9 can be seen, the discharge of filled capsules filling machine from the Kapselbe during each cycle, for example, during each 360-cycle, compressed air during in Fig. 9 period of the line marked with "ON" (or cam) C 3 introduced into the lower sections of the individual passages 18 in order to transfer the capsules 20 discharged from the capsule filling machine to the upper ends of the passages 18 and thus to their humidification positions. The capsule stop plate 60 is positioned by the spring 82 so that the individual capsules with the cap pointing upward are stopped during the "OFF" period of the line (or control curve) C 2 so that the connection is made is located between the cap part and body part of each capsule immediately next to and above the mouths of the loading moistening hollow needles 42 . Since the capsules are held in a convenient, substantially vertical position by the compressed air flowing through the passages and the stop plate 60 , a metered amount of the dampening liquid is conveyed in the "ON" period of the line C 1 by the pump 112 and discharged against the side walls of the capsules during the "ON" period of line C 4 . As mentioned several times, the ejected liquid penetrates under capillary action into the space between the overlapping side walls of the cap and body part of each capsule. Depending on the size of the capsules and the degree of overlap of their cap and body parts, the amount of dampening liquid loading is predetermined such that a sufficient amount of dampening liquid is introduced between the other overlapping side walls without applying excess liquid to the outer surface of the capsule.

After spraying of dampening liquid onto the capsules in the moistening position, compressed air is supplied to the compressed air cylinder 74 for actuating the stop plate 60 (during the "ON" period of line C 2 ) by means of the cam control of the capsule filling machine, in order to remove the plate 60 to pivot the way and thus to release the capsules for ejection and for the closing, under the influence of gravity from the connected discharge shaft 84 to a heating device of the capsule sealing device.

As mentioned, the capsule heater may be more typical as consist of commercially available components, for example  assign a conveyor with a hot air source to Ver completion of the dampening liquid reaction and to melt seal the overlapping ones Gelatin sidewall sections of the capsules when elevated Temperature, e.g. between about 35 ° and 80 ° C.

The Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate a modified and second embodiment of a capsule according to the invention humidifying device 10 'which is connected to a Kapselbefüll machine and to the previously, in conjunction with the embodiment of FIG. Operated 1 to 9 be prescribed manner. In FIGS. 10 and 11, parts corresponding to the parts of FIGS . 1 to 9 are designated with the same reference numerals as before. Be the dampening device 10 'comprises rigid front and back tere plates 13 and 14 made of a suitable material, such as transparent plastic or metal, which are fastened with the aid of fasteners such as bolts 16 . The plates 13 and 14 together form three substantially parallel, spaced passages 18 '( Fig. 11) of a substantially square cross-section for receiving and conveying capsules 20 filled with medication to the predetermined moistening position at the upper end portions of the passages. FIG. 11 is the back tere plate 14 which may be formed of aluminum, distributed on three distances, parallel grooves provided a square cross section, which are closed by the existing transparent plastic front plate 13.

In the modified humidification device 10 ', the passages 18 ' are connected at their lower inlet ends to a compressed air distributor block 30 which has a compressed air distributor 32 and compressed air passages 34 which supply compressed air for generating an effective pressure in the passages 18 ', to thereby drive the gelatin capsules to the predetermined humidification positions at the upper ends of the passages 18 '.

At the humidification positions in the passages are liquid application devices in the form of two sets of three opposing cannulas or hollow needles 42 'or flexible tubes. Only two hollow needles per set are visible in FIG. 10. Each set of three hollow needles or each of the three hollow needle sets is brought to an elongated distributor block 44 'and communicates with a liquid supply distributor formed in this. Each block 44 'is held at one end on a pivotable support arm 46 , two of which are illustrated in Fig. 10. The support arm pairs 46 at the adjacent ends of the block 44 'are attached or hinged by means of a pivot pin 52 on the adjacent side wall of the rear plate 14 of the device. Two support arms 46 at one end of each block 44 'are connected to each other by a spring 54, which the support arms 46, the manifold block in question 44' and the associated hollow needles 42 'in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the capsule-passages 18' inward pressing. The outlet ends or mouths of the hollow needles 42 'pass through elongated slots or elongated holes 48 in the opposite side walls at the upper ends of the passages 18 ', the mouths of the hollow needles of one hollow needle set being directly opposite those of the other set by 180 °. The ends of the opposing pairs of hollow needles 42 'are thus on opposite sides of the respective capsule 20 and can come into direct contact with the side wall portions of the capsule in question, located in the moistening position, in order to directly described the wetting liquid between the to introduce another overlapping side walls of the cap and body part.

An expediently mounted on one side of the rear plate 14 of the moistening device polygonal holder 56 has flange parts 56 a , which serve as stop elements to limit the inward pivoting movement of the sets of the respective moistening hollow needles.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 10 and 11 is or is programmed in the manner described in connection with the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 9 for the operation by means of control devices.

Claims (15)

1. Device for sealing (a drug ent holding) gelatin capsules, each with one im essential cylindrical cap and body part where at the side or peripheral wall of the body part under Inclusion of a drug in the capsule telescopically is inserted into the cap part, marked through a tubular passage defining Device for the promotion of capsules by this Passage, one of the devices determining the passage device associated device for generating a tire matic pressure difference or differential pressure in the through gear for the promotion of the capsule by the latter, one of the facilities determining the passage arranged blocking or locking device to pass stopping the passage of a capsule the passage in a predetermined position in the passage corridor and one of the fixtures defining the corridor device assigned applicator or application device with a in the range of the predetermined position Passage arranged discharge mouth for application (Spray) a metered amount of humidification liquid on the side wall of a body part stopped capsule in the area of connection or Joint of the side walls of the body and cap part, around the dampening liquid under capillary kung in the area between the telescopically together Spread the pushed walls of the cap and body part allow. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking or locking means for  Release the capsule after moistening it to the White capsule by means of the differential pressure generating device to convey, has. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized records that the device determining the passage also a passage inlet and outlet for each Intake or discharge of capsules and in the vorbe agreed position defines a passage section, in which a capsule in an essentially lot right position with the cap part pointing upwards is positionable to by the dampening liquid Speed application device with the dampening liquid ability to be charged. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized records that the tubular passage firmly Legend device Means to connect the through aisle inlet with the capsule discharge outlet one Capsule filling machine for loading or unloading be filled capsules to convey them through the passageway has, the differential pressure generating device (Pressure) air inlet in the passage between its inlet and has outlet to a flow of compressed air through the To lead passage to its outlet and thus capsules to promote through the passage, and that the passage fixing device in the predetermined position has a passage section in which a Capsule with essentially vertical Longitudinal axis and upward facing cap part for the Apply the dampening liquid to the sides wall of your body part is alignable. 5. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized indicates that the applicator is a pump unit for delivering or discharging a metered quantity  the dampening liquid through the discharge mouth against the side wall of the capsule body part. 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that that the dampening liquid discharge mouth in Passage is arranged so that the humidification liquid at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis the capsule and in the direction of their movement through the passage can be directed onto its cap part. 7. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that that the dampening liquid discharge mouth so on is ordered that the dampening liquid under at an acute angle and in the direction of movement of the capsule through its passage outlet against the wall of the capsule Body part is straightenable. 8. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized records that the blocking or locking means has in the path of movement of a capsule the passage are movable and adhere to the (in Be direction) to create the leading end of the capsule and thus their movement through the passage under the Stop the influence of the (pneumatic) differential pressure ver to like. 9. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized records that the blocking or locking device you Effectively allocated attachment means a capsule filling machine for the purpose of actuating the Blocking or locking device depending on Discharge of filled capsules from the capsule filling machine having. 10. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized records that the the (tubular) passage is fixed  laying facility with several such runs Inlets and outlets for admission and out respectively capsules determines the (pneumatic) effect pressure generating device one (compressed) air inlet each leave in each pass between its inlet and Outlet to a stream of compressed air for conveying of capsules to pass through the passage and the blocking or locking device each of the Passages are assigned to the capsules in the front certain position in the respective passage ten. 11. A method for sealing (a medicament-containing) gelatin capsules, each with a substantially cylindrical, coaxially arranged caps and body part, wherein the side or peripheral wall of the body part for the inclusion of a drug in the capsule telescopically inserted into the cap part is pushed, characterized in that

• a) a gelatin capsule is pneumatically conveyed in a predetermined movement path,
• b) the movement of the capsule is temporarily stopped in its path of movement, the capsule being in an essentially vertical position with the cap part pointing upwards,
• c) a metered amount of a dampening liquid against the side or circumferential wall of the capsule-body part in the area of the connection or joint between body and cap part is directed (ejected) to the dampening liquid under capillary action in the area between the telescopically pushed together To have walls of the cap and body part distributed, and
• d) the capsule is then pneumatically transported in the movement path to another (downstream) location or station.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that continue to be with the dampening fluid opened capsule is heat-treated to the loading expel dampening fluid from her and the overlapping side walls of cap and Body part forming an integral capsule formed to fuse together. 13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the capsule is initially pneumatic from its out from a capsule filling machine in the Movement path is promoted (or fed). 14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the dampening fluid is under an upward directed acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the capsule directed against the side wall of the capsule body part becomes. 15. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the dampening fluid under a point Angle in the direction of the capsule movement in the movement track against the side wall of the capsule body part is judged.